Candidates endorsed by former President Donald J. Trump have so far had mixed success in the contested Republican primary for the 2022 midterm elections.
Most Trump-approved candidates run unopposed or face little-known, poorly funded adversaries. But many Republican candidates this year, whether Trump-supported or not, have embraced his style of politics, including false claims about the integrity of the 2020 election.
Here’s a look at Mr Trump’s endorsements in close-quarters races today in Georgia, Arkansas and Texas.
David Perdue, the Trump-backed former senator, has fallen behind in polls and fundraising in his bid to overthrow Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican who angered the former president by refusing to reverse the results of Mr Trump’s 2020 loss. make in the state. Perdue has made lies about the 2020 election results a focal point of his campaign. Mr. Kemp stuck to the results while supporting new voting restrictions.
Mr. Trump also backs Representative Jody Hice in his bid to oust Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican who also rejected Mr. Trump’s attempt to reverse the 2020 election results. Mr Hice, a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, has made Mr Trump’s baseless claims about the 2020 election the centerpiece of his own campaign.
Herschel Walker, the former professional soccer player backed by Mr. Trump, has led a crowded field in the Republican Senate primaries, seeking Senator Raphael Warnock, a well-funded Democrat, for the seat Mr. Warnock won in a high-ranking election. — special election early 2021 profile. Mr. Walker has been accused of domestic violence and has been skeptical of the 2020 election, but his celebrity and Trump support have bolstered him in public polls and fundraising.
In the busy race for an open congressional seat just north of Atlanta, Mr. Trump backed Jake Evans, the son of Randy Evans, Mr. Trump’s former ambassador to Luxembourg. Mr Evans has been attacked by his rivals for past comments criticizing Mr Trump. He has raised less money than Rich McCormick, a former Marine and doctor who narrowly lost a House race in 2020. dr. McCormick has echoed Mr Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election and has refused to admit his own 2020 loss.
Arkansas
Mr Trump endorsed two candidates who are much loved to win their primaries today. Sarah Sanders, the former Trump press secretary and daughter of former Governor Mike Huckabee, is confronted by Doc Washburn, a conservative talk radio host who was fired for failing to comply with the radio station’s vaccine mandate.
In the race for attorney general, Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, who supported Mr Trump, has raised and spent far more money than his rival, Leon Jones Jr., the state’s former Secretary of Labor.
Texas
Attorney General Ken Paxton has some problems. He has been charged with criminal charges of securities fraud. Several of his best assistants claimed he abused his office by helping a wealthy donor. And he has faced allegations of abuse of power and bribery. But he also has Mr. Trump’s backing, which could be powerful enough to survive a reelection challenge from George P. Bush, the Texas State Commissioner and cousin of former President George W. Bush who came to blows with Mr. Trump.
